Depression and Functional Impairment

Similar to adult studies, studies of pediatric patients have found that depression has been associated with increased functional disability (Kashikar-Zuck et al. 2001, 2002; Katon 2003; Smith et al. 2003). Co-occurring depression and physical illnesses have been associated with disruptions of functioning at home, at school, and in recreational activities. In a study examining depression among youngsters with chronic pain, Kashikar-Zuck et al. (2001) found depression to be strongly associated with functional disability but not with pain severity. Adult studies have shown an association between the improvement of depressive symptoms and improvements on measures of functional impairment (Ormel et al. 1993).

Are You Depressed? Heard the horror stories about anti-depressants and how they can just make things worse? Are you sick of being over medicated, glazed over and too fat from taking too many happy pills? Do you hate the dry mouth, the mania and mood swings and sleep disturbances that can come with taking a prescribed mood elevator?